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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350, an Autoweek Drivers Log Car Review

August 23, 2011

The V6 in the Mercedes-Benz SLK350 is rated at 302 hp.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: This 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 is an athletic package with a surprisingly tight chassis and aggressive seven-speed automatic. The suspension walks the fine line of (slightly) beating up the driver, which is an invigorating experience for a Benz.

The V6 is loud and strong and almost a bit uncouth, cackling and roaring at various points in the band. It's a healthy amount of power, and frankly, it's needed to jolt this two-seater into motion. This is a small car, but 3,400 pounds on its bones is rather well-fed and it feels that way at times. I know it's because of the retractable hardtop, but still.

The steering is light and quick, and the cabin is well-appointed and comfortable. It fit my five-foot-nine frame perfectly. I really can't remember when I was this comfortable in a car this size.

The other standout feature is the sunroof, which changes color (in simple terms) to let in different amounts of light. It is fun, looks cool and sets a serene scene for driving. The retractable roof works fine and the open-air experience is pleasant.

I love the SLS-inspired looks and proportions up front. It's exactly how a Mercedes roadster should look. This is a fun car. Not perfect, but a lot of energy and adrenaline is served up for the driver.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: Somebody in the office the other day was talking about chick cars. Is this one? I'd argue the old one was, and this is my first time in the new car, the third generation of the SLK. Sure enough, where the old one appealed mostly to gals, Mercedes-Benz is trying to get more men interested.

The car looks better, with a bit of an SLS/CLS front end. It also feels wider to me, and thus the interior seems a bit roomier. The ride/handling feels good, with good balance and body control and quick steering. There's decent power as well, and it felt better than I thought it would.

I liked it better than it thought I would overall and enjoyed my time in it with the top down. I don't know if that's because I wasn't expecting much or what, though.

ART DIRECTOR CHERYL L. BLAHNIK: Who could ask for anything better than a SLK and fine weather? Looking at the exterior of this car I think it looks much better than its predecessor with a more squared-off look. I wasn't a fan of the wheels and would prefer a more traditional five-star design.

The interior is nice and is done in a tasteful manner with comfortable and supportive seats. It is, however, rather tight in the cabin, and the trunk isn't much to talk about, either. If you're thinking of a road trip, you better pack light.

But for fun, this car really is a blast. Give the throttle a push and the V6 shoots this little SLK forward to slap a big smile on your face. It feels tight in corners, but the suspension is still comfortable enough for easygoing, top-down driving.

COPY EDITOR CYNTHIA L. OROSCO-WRIGHT: What fun to have this 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 over the weekend and be able to enjoy it top-down on a Friday night for dinner and shopping.

This car is lovely, with the low-slung body and the sleek lines. I'm not normally a fan of white paint on cars, but I thought it looked fine on this SLK350. The exhaust note is thrilling and makes you want to drive even faster. And you can do that by simply letting your right foot take over. The power comes on smooth and strong and stays that way, especially on the expressway. And the brakes provide confident stopping power.

I did notice a rather heavy feel through the steering wheel. Even though this is a "smaller" car, it felt a bit hefty. And, some contorting is required to get into and out of the car, especially for my six-foot-tall hubby. But once you retract the top, none of that mattered. We were happy to feel the night breeze on our faces and the whoosh of passing other cars.

Amazingly for this small of a vehicle, we were able to get three 12-packs of pop and six or eight bags of purchases in the minimal storage space in the trunk. Yes, my co-driver had to hold a couple of bags, but riding in this roadster, he didn't mind.